Mar 21, 2010

Illustration Friday: Expired

"Young Girl as The Huntress"

This one inspired by an old photograph I saw last night, of a litle girl dressed as a huntress, the Teddy Bear as the hunted. Apart from the ominous shadow, I have tried to emulate the studio lighting popular at the beginning of last century. I suppose there's a few expirations going on here; on individual terms there is a loss of innocence, on cultural terms there is the replacement of the Teddy Bear with things like Nintendo and Tamagochhi.

interesting one, Andrew! I guess guns never go out of style, heh heh ... what's with the wings? Is that something from the photo, or an emblem of the "huntress"? Beautiful color palette and intriguing lighting as always, my friend!

Hey Andrew, buddy, Wow I think this is my favorite of yours so far. The composition, lighting, shadows and character design are perfect! Love the little detail;s like the one pant leg pulled up a bit. She must have really been battling that bear! :o) Oh I forgot to post my truth... but you were the only one who guessed it right. Chaka Kahn DID l;et me use her microphone once when I was a bus boy at a banquet hall. We were setting up and I started goofing around and she caught me. Then she said go ahead, let's see what you got....

Oooooh, I love this. That would be like me as a young kid. Her facial expression is so wicked fun! Of course some politically correct psychologists will promptly consider this kid deviant and start to rehabilitate her! And I always love clicking for the big one!

This is a great image. I also wondered briefly about the wings and harp but interpreted them to be symbols of Diana (goddess of the hunt) but I'm not sure that they are actually her symbols so it was interesting to read why you included them. I'm not sure I am convinced they are necessary to suggest innocence, but I love the composition none the less.

Aha Ces, I have been caught out at/in Illustrating a deviant Child (an IADC) !!! Political correct hmmph! I still call actresses, actresses even though I can't spell it:) :) Yes I had been tempted on several occasions to deviate on the 'please click for big' thing! .....

Hya Sally, thanks for that thoughtful comment. I can see what you mean about the wings non-necessity. I think I was trying to also get a few props in like the cute kids photographers might have, so was attempting to think like someone else -

It's an interestinc concept Diana Goddess of the Hunt, one that has intrigued me. I wonder if a man wrote it - the original story of Actaeon. (?

Beautiful piece! I love those old studio portraits too. Being a flea market junkie I see a lot of them & some are just riveting. This definitely captures the period staging & lighting-- but the girl's triumphant smile is a very modern touch!